”Frank A. Hanawalt, who is now enjoying the comforts of his fine farm in Concord Township, has had a long and active career, chiefly spent as a contractor and builder of roads and bridges. Mr. Hanawalt is widely known over this section of Ohio and his career is one that will be read with interest by his many friends in Ross County.
He was born in Concord Township October 15, 1857. His father, Christopher Hanawalt, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1821. The grandfather, George Hanawalt, was also born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and he as well as two brothers, Henry and John, came to Ross County in the early days. John settled in Bourneville, and Henry in Concord Township. George Hanawalt arrived in Ohio in 1823. He was accompanied by his family, and after some years in Union Township he moved to Concord, where he followed farming until his death. George Hanawalt married Margaret Parchel, and their four children were Caleb, Christopher, Elizabeth and Sarah.
Christopher Hanawalt was the father of Frank A. As a young man in Ross County he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith’s trade in Frankfort. After completing his apprenticeship he opened a shop there, and was steadily in business, meeting the demands of his patrons for shop work for almost half a century. After giving up active business he continued to live in Frankfort until his death in 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Speaks, a daughter of Frank and Mary (Goldsberry) Speaks, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Ross County, also died in the year 1910 at the age of eighty years. Christopher Hanawalt and wife reared ten children: Joseph; Mary, who married William Beard; George; Benton L.; Ollie K., who married Noah Coyner; Samuel; Frank; Elizabeth; Pearl; and Raymond.
Frank A. Hanawalt gained his early education in the rural schools of Ross County. He has been a hard worker all his life and as early as fourteen years of age went out to work on the farm of Rheasa McNeill. He continued employment at monthly wages until he had saved enough money to buy a team, and he then started out as a renter. After farming for some years, he used his equipment during the construction of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway, and that experience introduced him into the broad field of contracting for the building of roads and bridges. He has continued that business ever since and has constructed many miles of improved highways both in Ross and other counties of Ohio. Since 1909 he has lived on his beautiful farm in Concord Township, and operates that both as a home and for profit.
Mr. Hanawalt has been twice married. At the age of twenty he married Nina A. Ware, who was born in Frankfort, a daughter of Thomas Ware and a granddaughter of Thomas Ware, Sr. She died after sixteen years of married life. Mr. Hanawalt married, for his present wife, Renie B. Young, who was born in Fayette County, a daughter of Nelson and Martha (Bush) Young. Mr. and Mrs. Hanawalt have two sons, Fred C. and William Howard.
Ever since he became a voter, Mr. Hanawalt has steadfastly supported the republican party. He has served as a member of the Concord Township Republican Committee and as a delegate to various conventions. He is now serving his fifth consecutive term as a member of the township board of trustees. Fraternally, he is a member of Frankfort Lodge of the Knights of Pythias.”
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, Vol. 2, by Lyle S. Evans, The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1017, page 913
Vicki, Did you find any info on Nina A Ware? Meanwhile, I’m going to look for her and her family on Ancestry.com. A very interesting article.
Wayne